Hem marker device



I April 25, 1967 a. TARLOW ETAL 3,315,360

HEM MARKER DEVICE Filed NOV. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 FE G 14 INVENTORS Benjamin Tarlowa Andrew E. Friedrich ATTORNEYS A ril 25, 1967 B.TARLOW ETAL 3,315,360

HEM MARKER DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Benjamin Tarlow 8 Andrew E. Friedrich ATTORNEYS A ril 25, 1967 B. TARLOW ETAL 3,315,360

HEM MARKER DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 will/11111142.! 4 mumlww Benjamin Toriowa Andrew E. Friedrich Q BY%M/ 24%? a ATTORNEYS IN VENTORS v A ril 25. 1967 B. TARLQW ETAL 3,315,360

HEM MARKER DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Benjamin Tarlow 8 Andrew E. Friedrich ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,315,360 HEM MARKER DEVICE Benjamin Tarlow, 3809 Glen Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21215, and Andrew E. Friedrich, Laurel, Md.; said Friedrich assignor to said Tarlow Filed Nov. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 322,357 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-9) This invention relates to an apparatus for marking hems in womens skirts, dresses, coats and other articles of clothing wherein it is desired to automatically gauge and mark the hem thereon.

The improved device of this invention is adapted to be rapidly locked in position at a predetermined height and the pins inserted through the folds of the fabric by means of an automatic pin injecting device. The pins are guided when injected in a horizontal position through the folds of the material so as to maintain an even, uniform hem line.

The devices heretofore proposed for marking hems permit adjustment of a marker to a predetermined height but rely on the operators manual dexterity in selecting an individual pin from a pile of pins and forcing same through the fabric. In using these prior art devices both of the operators hands are ordinarily used in adjusting the fabric and locking the device thereon, and it has become in many instances the convenient habit of the operator to place the pins to be later used in his or her mouth. This habit can and may result in serious injury, as will be apparent.

It has been observed that these previously existing devices have further been found unsuitable for use with materials having a substantial density or thickness. Such items as plastic raincoats, the new non-woven fabric impregnated with a synthetic resin, leather, and fur coats presents a greater impediment for the penetration of the pin marker. Thus it is often necessary when these materials are being pinned to use a thimble to act directly on the pin head. Even then, it is a time-consuming, if not impossible task, to completely penetrate both layers of the folded fabric.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an improved form of a hem marking device wherein the position of the pin to be used in defining the hem line on the items of wearing apparel is accurately measured from the floor without requiring independent measurement on behalf of the operator.

- It is a further objective of the invention to provide a hem marking device, in accordance with the foregoing objects, wherein the pin injector is vertically adjustable and pivotable about a horizontal axis so that when the device is rotated into a horizontal operable position, it automatically folds the material to be pinned by means of fabric guides. In these respects the device is readily maneuverable, quick and positive in its locking action, and most efiicient in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of hem marking device wherein the fabric is folded so as to receive the pin in such a manner that the inserted pin will not readily fall out of the fabric when the material is removed from the device and also wherein the device does not disturb the position of the pin once it hasbeen inserted. 7

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved form of hem marking device wherein the pin to be inserted through the folds of fabric is inserted in a horizontal position parallel to the floor, thus alleviating the need for judgment and manual dexterity on the part of the operator in aligning the pins' in a horizontal position' because the device automatically guides the pin through'both folds in a' true horizontal position.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved form of hem marking device wherein the pins to be used need not be picked up individually or even handled by the operator but rather will beretained in a magazine on the marking apparatus ready for application individually as needed. Thus, additional pins will automatically be fed into position for ejection when preceding pins are expelled from the magazine.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved form of hem marking device wherein a pin hammer pivoted on one end of the pin magazine is provided to individually drive the pins held in the pin magazine through the folded fabric to be marked.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hem marking device having a readily operated spring loaded handle pivotally mounted on the pin magazine and pin hammer means actuated by same which combination provides leverage and thus ease of penetration of the pin even through dense, non-woven material.

Another object'of the invention is to provide a hem marker in accordance with the foregoing objects wherein a fabric clamp is attached to the rotatable pin injecting mechanism so as to contemporaneously lock the fabric in the hem marker as the pin injector is rotated into operable position.

Other objects of this invention 'are to provide a hem marking device in accordance with the foregoing objects wherein the fabric clamp is removed from the pinned material automatically and the pin injecting device is rotated to a vertical non-operating position so as to permit the operator to move the garment to a new position to be pinned; and to provide a hem marking device that is adapted to mark an identical hem line in two or more pieces of fabric material simultaneously such as the outer fur of a coat and the lining thereof.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the entire hem marking device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side .elevational view of the marking device illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the invention particularly showing the pin actuating assembly; and indicating the open position in solid lines; with theclosed position thereof shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 4 is a section view of the invention as shown in FIGURE 2 and illustrating in more detail the pin magazine and the pin injector means;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary end view of the pin magazine and cooperating pin actuating assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a front view of the rotatable pin injecting means particularly illustrating, in dotted lines, the relation of the pin magazine to the pin actuating assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of FIG URE 4, showing the pin follower propelling means;

FIGURE 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG- URE 7, illustrating the manner in which the pins are positioned in the pin magazine;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIGURE 2 through the pinning member and vertical standard showing the manner in which the skirt fabric is folded therebetweenprior to driving the pin through the material;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 9, taken through the pinning member and vertical standard, and illustrating the pin driving hammer in actuated position and forcing the pin from the pin magazine through the fabric, with the latter in secured position;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view, partially in section, showing the pin injecting means in operative position "I rom its back side and particularly illustrating the relation If the fabric folding means thereto;

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view, partially in section, llustrating the rotated positions of the pinning member n the open position, and also indicating the closed, operavive position in dotted lines;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a series of pins, arranged for use in combination with the pinning mem- Jer; and

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of the pins when secured :hrough a fabric by means of the pinning device and in accordance with this invention.

The improved hem marking device of this invention, and particularly disclosed and described herein, is generally indicated at 1. It comprises a pin injecting device generally indicated at 15. The latter is supported by a vertical gauge standard 9 and vertical cloth guide standard 12 that is mounted on base 5. The standard 9 carries the indicia 17 used in measuring the height of the hem above the floor. The indicia 17 carried on the front face of the standard 9 is calibrated in inches and additional marks 18 to indicate fractions thereof. The standard 9 serves as a gauge on which the hem marking device is appropriately adjusted to the desired height before said device is actuated.

The base 5, consisting of a rectangular platform, is mounted on four low friction button mounts 4 (FIGURE 2) for movement about the floor. These mounts are preferably spaced uniformly about the periphery of the base 5 to provide four-point support and stability thereto even though the floor surface may be quite uneven. Semi-spherical wooden buttons, metal buttons, or ball casters have suitably been found to provide the needed stability of this hem marking device.

The vertical standards 9 and 12 are substantially rectangular in cross section and are vertically supported by L-shaped fasteners 6 which form a channel (see FIG- URE 1) into which the standards 9 and 12 are received. A plurality of screws 7 are inserted through fasteners 6 into threaded engagement with the base 5 and standards 9 and 12 to secure the three elements 5, 9 and 12 together. The standards 9 and 12 are each provided on one edge with notches or recesses and 13 respectively adapted to permit perdetermined vertical adjustment of the pin injector 15 to correspond to the calibrations on the scale 17. The pin injector 15, previously referred to, includes a collar which is vertically adjustable on the gauge standard 9. A pin magazine 31 is provided with handles '32, the latter actuating the pin driving hammer assembly 70.

As more particularly shown in FIGURES 4 and 11, the collar 25 is vertically adjustable on the gauge standard 9, and many be secured at predetermined intervals corresponding to the calibration marks and identical notches 10. To achieve this, a ball detent 26 is journaled in collar nipple 27 which is plugged exteriorly by adjustment screw 28 (see FIGURE 11). Intermediate said screw 28 and ball 26 is positioned a coil spring 29 which exerts thrust or spring bias against ball 26 to force the latter into seating engagement with the V-shaped recess 29a.

Pin 30 extends through collar 25- and side member 34, thus forming the pivot for vertical rotation for the pin injecting device.

A rectangular leg 35, as illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12, extends from side member 34. Such forms a fabric folding member, and is provided with a V-slot 36, the latter permitting the projected pin to pass therethrough and remain undisturbed when the pin injecting device is rotated upwardly to permit removal or movement of the fabric.

A flexible retention means or brace 33 extends obliquely from the top surface 37 of the pin magazine 31 and engages the notches 13 in the standard 12 when the magazine is rotated into an operating position. The angle of the flexible member 33 to the magazine surface 37 is of such degree as to stop the clockwise rotation of the pin injector when it reaches the horizontal and the pin issuing from the pin magazine is aligned with and passes adjacent the inner surface of serrations 13.

The curved outer end 38 of brace 33 is adapted to seat in one of the recesses 13. It thus will clamp the downwardly hanging skirt or dress therebetween when rotated into operating position.

-Pin magazine 31, employed to store and urge pins into position for ejection, may be supplied of any desired construction. The preferred embodiment is shown in FIGURES 4 and 7. Here a pin follower 39 is slidably mounted for recirpocation on cylindrical pin follower guide means 40 and 41 which carry compression springs 42, '43 wound therearound to push the pin follower and pin supply.

The stem 44 of each T-pin (FIGURE 13) rides between pin follower guides 40, 41 and rectangular pin guide means 46-, 47, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The pin head flanges 46 of each pin head 45 ride in appropriate grooves 48, 49 (FIGURES 7 and 8) shown as recesses in pin guides 46, 47 respectively.

Wall 50 supports the pin follower guides 40 and 41 and acts as a barrier to further travel of pin follower 39*. Removable cap 52 and end wall 50 form the pin ejection chamber 51 into which the forwardmost pin is inserted by pin follower 39. Pin loading is accomplished by removal of cap 52, removably attached by any suitable means, and insertion of the desired quantity of pins (see FIGURES 7, 8 and 10). The vertical side walls 53 and 54 of pin magazine 31, FIGURES 9 and 10, are formed with suitable openings 55, 56 registering with the V-slot 36 and a pin hammer 71. Extending outwardly and rearwardly from magazine surface 37 are ears 57, 58, FIGURES 4 and 5. These are formed with openings which register with the openings formed in cars 60, 61 extending from wall 59, FIGURES 5, 7, 11, these members being attached by rods 6-3, as shown. Also attached through cars 57, 61 is one handle 32 which may be secured thereto 'by welding, bolts, cotter pins or like media. As indicated, the U-shaped pin driving hammer holder 70, having cars 72, 73 formed with through openings registering with the openings in cars 58, 60* are secured into pivotal relation by insertion of pins 63 therethrough.

Extending outwardly and perpendicular to the surface of side wall 54 (FIGURE 4) is a flange element 64. The U-shaped Walls of pin hammer holder 7 0 lap over magazine 31 when in juxtaposition and the hammer 71 is in firing position. Pin hammer 71 extends perpendicular to holder 70 and is reduced in cross-section so as to reciprocate within pin ejection chamber 51.

Disposed between magazine wall 54 and hammer holder 70 is a coiled compression spring 66 fastened in place via flange elements 64 and a like member 44 on the hammer holder 70. It will be understood that the compression spring 66 normally presses the hammer holder 70 outwardly from wall 54 so as to disengage the pin hammer from the pin ejecting chamber 51. The hammer actuating lever 80, actuated by a like handle 32, mounted thereon, is pivotally connected via a suitable pivot bolt 83 to links 85-, 86. The latter in turn are pivotally connected through pin 87 to magazine walls 37 and 59 respectively.

\Pin 89 pivotally connects actuating means to hammer holder 70. The handle 32 is journaled through said actuating means 80 and fastened by either a cotter pin or a rivet at its lower end.

The operation of the device will now be described.

The pin injecting means 15 is swung into a vertical position as shown in FIGURE 12 and adjusted to the desired height above the floor by means of the scale 17 on standard 9. The hem of the item of apparel (indicated at M, FIGURES 9 and 1-0') is then draped over and in juxtaposition to the serrations 13 on standard 12 and said pin injector rotated downwardly to a horizontal position so that fabric folding means 35 and pin magazine wall 53 automatically fold the fabric about the standard 12.

As the pin injector approaches the horizontal, the resilient element 33 comes into locking engagement with the fabric covering the notched surface v13 of standard 12. The fabric, disposed intermediate said brace and standard, is thus inhibited from any slight vertical movement, or by the wearers movements, that would cause inaccuracies in marking. Once the fabric is crimped and locked in stationary position for marking, the operator needs only to grasp the handles 3-2 and gently squeeze to actuate the hammer holder 70. The lever-link system 80, 85 is so proportioned that a small handle movement will permit a considerably larger travel of the hammer 71. Furthermore, good leverage is obtained with a small handle movement.

It will be noted that the handles 32 extend upwardly to a height within easy reach of the operator without his stooping down or bending over. When thus actuated, the lever 80 urges hammer 71 forward through slot 56 and magazine wall 54 to engage pin head 45 and force the same from the pin magazine through the folded fabric 90. Conversely, when the handles 3-2 are released, compression spring 66 presses hammer arm 70 horizontally away from the pin magazine, which action removes hammer 71 from the pin firing chamber. Pin follower 39, propelled by helical springs 42, 43, then slides the pin supply forward so as to place the forwardmost pin within the pin ejection chamber 51. The handles are then depressed downwardly to rotate the pin injector about pivot 30 and release the hem pinned, as illustrated in FIGURE 14. The wearer need only turn to reposition another area of the hem for marking in the aforesaid manner.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of the particular use herein outlined. It is also to be understood that the device herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as being illustrative only, it being further understood that the scope of the invention is to be limited only by such limitations or definitions as are present in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic hem marking device to mark the hem line of a garment when in stationary position comprising a vertical gauge standard afiixed to a base and provided with an inner notched edge and indicia on one edge corresponding to said notched edge, a notched guide standard mounted on said base parallel to said gauge standard over which the fabric to be pinned is draped, an automatic hem marking device to mark the hem line in garments while being held upright, said hem marking device being pivotally mounted upon a horizontal pivot with respect to said gauge standard and vertically reciprocable thereupon so as to come into lateral, adjusted engaging position with said garment when rotated in a vertical plane, a positive locking means to lock said hem marking device in said adjusted position and to maintain the fabric in a stationary horizontal position while being pinned, said locking means comprising an angularly disposed spring member mounted on said hem marking device for engagement With the notches of said notched edge of said guide standard when said hem marking device has been rotated to said lateral, adjusted position, following means on said pivotally mounted hem marking device to crimp the fabric about the guide standard into position to be pinned, said folding means being in operable engagement with said fabric when in said lateral operable position, and said marking device including a T-pin ejection means having actuating means therefor to force said pins through said folded fabric, whereby pins are forced from the pin ejection means into and through said fabric when said ejection and folding means are in operative position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said T-pin ejection means includes a pin guide means, pin follower guide means, p-in follower means slidably mounted for reciprocation on said pin follower guide to urge pins along the pin guide means, a pin ejection chamber in communication with said pin guide means thereby receiving pins for ejection therefrom, and means to propel said pin follower means forwardly toward the ejection chamber.

'3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein handle means are attached to said T-pin ejection device to actuate same and permit vertical and rotational adjustment thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,616,046- 1/1927 Hobbs 33-9 2,242,071 5/1941 Holfman 33-10 2,269,574 9/ 1942 Rodgers 227- 2,633,57-1 4/1953 Boroughs 227-129 2,659,147 11/1953 Halpin 33-9 2,959,859 11/1960 Weiss 33-9 LEONARD FORMA-N, Primary Examiner. L. ANDERSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN AUTOMATIC HEM MARKING DEVICE TO MARK THE HEM LINE OF A GARMENT WHEN IN STATIONARY POSITION COMPRISING A VERTICAL GAUGE STANDARD AFFIXED TO A BASE AND PROVIDED WITH AN INNER NOTCHED EDGE AND INDICIA ON ONE EDGE CORRESPONDING TO SAID NOTCHED EDGE, A NOTCHED GUIDE STANDARD MOUNTED ON SAID BASE PARALLEL TO SAID GAUGE STANDARD OVER WHICH THE FABRIC TO BE PINNED IS DRAPED, AN AUTOMATIC HEM MARKING DEVICE TO MARK THE HEM LINE IN GARMENTS WHILE BEING HELD UPRIGHT, SAID HEM MARKING DEVICE BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED UPON A HORIZONTAL PIVOT WITH RESPECT TO SAID GAUGE STANDARD AND VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE THEREUPON SO AS TO COME INTO LATERAL, ADJUSTED ENGAGING POSITION WITH SAID GARMENT WHEN ROTATED IN A VERTICAL PLANE, A POSITIVE LOCKING MEANS TO LOCK SAID HEM MARKING DEVICE IN SAID ADJUSTED POSITION AND TO MAINTAIN THE FABRIC IN A STATIONARY HORIZONTAL POSITION WHILE BEING PINNED, SAID LOCKING MEANS COMPRISING AN ANGULARLY DISPOSED SPRING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID HEM MARKING DEVICE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NOTCHES OF SAID NOTCHED EDGE OF SAID GUIDE STANDARD WHEN SAID HEM MARKING DEVICE HAS BEEN ROTATED TO SAID LATERAL, ADJUSTED POSITION, FOLLOWING MEANS ON SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED HEM MARKING DEVICE TO CRIMP THE FABRIC ABOUT THE GUIDE STANDARD INTO POSITION TO BE PINNED, SAID FOLDING MEANS BEING IN OPERABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FABRIC WHEN IN SAID LATERAL OPERABLE POSITION, AND SAID MARKING DEVICE INCLUDING A T-PIN EJECTION MEANS HAVING ACTUATING MEANS THEREFOR TO FORCE SAID PINS THROUGH SAID FOLDED FABRIC, WHEREBY PINS ARE FORCED FROM THE PIN EJECTION MEANS INTO AND THROUGH SAID FABRIC WHEN SAID EJECTION AND FOLDING MEANS ARE IN OPERATIVE POSITION. 